“This is what the public expects from its leaders in Trenton and today New Jersey has delivered a message we’re working together with Governor Christie the way the public expects this body to work.”

After an hour long debate the Senate passed the budget bill by a vote of 29-to-11.

Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg was one of ten Senate Democrats to vote against it.

“This budget has not taken into account women’s health. There is no real property tax relief. There is no income tax credit in here for the working poor”

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean defends the negotiated budget.

“The Democrats have tried to throw a lot of accusations at the wall regarding this budget. The fact that they then changed less than one percent of the overall budget number from the governor’s introduction really shows that the governor has got the right priorities.”

Budget committee chairman Paul Sarlo says Democrats did not want to risk inserting more items in the budget only to have the governor line-item veto them.

“The budget is based upon some overly optimistic revenues. However, we all hope that we achieve those revenues. That means the state is headed in the right direction.”

Sarlo is concerned whether the state will get all the revenue the administration expects from affordable housing trust funds and taxes from Internet gambling.

“The Treasurer made it clear these are the numbers he’s going to certify. So I would hope that we’re not going to be visiting this six months from now, but there’s the housing money, there’s the Internet gaming, and a few other items that need to come to fruition.”

Newark Today

A monthly, one-hour, live call-in program focusing on social, economic and political topics pertaining to Newark.

On this month's edition of Newark Today we are joined by Tonya R. Bryan Executive Director of Newark Emergency Services For Families, Julienne Cherry with the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, and Dr. Janice Johnson-Dias President of the Grassroots Community Foundation, to talk about feeding and housing the homeless and food insecure populations this holiday season.

Conversations with Allan Wolper

David Rozenholc is the tenant lawyer who took on Donald Trump in one of the most famous cases in New York City real estate history. Rozenholc prevented Trump's wrecking ball from demolishing a building and evicting the tenants from their apartments at 100 Central Park South now called Trump Parc East. Crain's Business called Rozenholc a lawyer that powerful landlords and developers dread facing in court.

SportsJam with Doug Doyle

Dan Silna and his brother Ozzie made mega millions in a deal they made as their Spirits of St. Louis ABA franchise was left out of the NBA merger in 1976. The philanthropist talks about his ownership days, the deal and his passions including an upcoming panel discussion called "Lessons From the Munich Olympics" moderated by his former play-by-play man Bob Costas.